HeyRuaHow to say “tense” in Irish
- Irish:
- teannasach
- English:
- tense
- Word type:
- adjective
- Tenser:
- níos teannasaí
- Tensest:
- is teannasaí
- Plural:
- teannasacha
- Pronunciation:
- “TYAN-a-sukh” /tʲanˠəsˠəx/
What does “teannasach” mean?
- tense
- Full of strain or nervous tension, describing a situation, atmosphere or relationship.Also: strained, fraught, edgy.
“Teannasach” after a noun
An Irish adjective comes after its noun. Here is teannasach after cruinniú (meeting, masculine), after oíche (night, feminine) and after a plural.
séimhiú (the h) the ending
After a feminine noun the adjective gets a séimhiú, an h after its first letter: oíche theannasach. After a masculine noun it stays as it is: cruinniú teannasach.
With a plural noun the adjective takes its plural form, teannasacha. It also gets an h after a plural that ends in a slender consonant; after other plurals it does not: oícheanta teannasacha.
Tenser, tensest, very tense
Tá an scéal níos teannasaí anois ná riamh. The situation is tenser now than ever.
| tenser | níos teannasaí | in the past tense: ní ba theannasaí |
|---|---|---|
| tensest | is teannasaí | in the past tense: ba theannasaí |
| as tense as | chomh teannasach le | no change after chomh |
| very tense | an-teannasach | an- lenites, except d, t and s |
| too tense | rótheannasach | ró- lenites |
“Teannasach” in a sentence: Irish examples
With a masculine noun, a feminine noun, a plural, a comparison and on its own.
Other adjectives in Irish
More everyday Irish adjectives to learn next.
Tense in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for tense?
The Irish for tense is teannasach (pronounced “TYAN-a-sukh”). It comes after the noun: cruinniú teannasach, a tense meeting; oíche theannasach, a tense night.
How do you say tenser and tensest in Irish?
níos teannasaí is tenser and is teannasaí is tensest. In the past tense they become ní ba theannasaí and ba theannasaí.
Why does teannasach become theannasach?
After a feminine singular noun an adjective is lenited: it gets an h after its first letter. So oíche theannasach (a tense night) but cruinniú teannasach (a tense meeting), because cruinniú is masculine.
What is the plural of teannasach?
With a plural noun teannasach becomes teannasacha: cruinnithe teannasacha, oícheanta teannasacha.
How do you say very tense in Irish?
an-teannasach. Too tense is rótheannasach, and as tense as is chomh teannasach le.
What is the difference between 'teannasach' and 'teann'?
'Teann' means physically tight or firm, as in 'rópa teann', while 'teannasach' describes a tense situation or atmosphere, as in 'cruinniú teannasach'.
